Expandable roll construction



1964 A. 'r. WILLIAMS ETAL 3,153,957

EXPANDABLE ROLL CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 16. 1961 MR. /V

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EXPANDABLE ROLL CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-$heet Filed Oct. 16, 1961 United States Patent 3,153,967 EXPANDABLE ROLL CONSTRUCTION Arthur T. Williams, 2363 SE. 8th, Camas, Wash., and Gordon M. Ochs, Camas, Wash; said Ochs assignor to Charles R. Tidland, Camas, Wash.

Filed Oct. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 145,192 4 Claims. (Cl. 83-675) This invention relates to a construction for rolls, and more particularly to a roll construction where means or mechanism for expanding the roll is included. In one embodiment of the invention, the roll is part of a slitter roll, where in addition to the roll plural hollow bushings are present that encircle the roll and are mounted as a series extending axially therealong. In another embodiment of the invention, a type of mandrel is contemplated, such as might be used to mount a hollow roll of paper, or other types of hollow rolls.

In the paper-making industry, a common operation performed on a web or sheet of paper is to divide the sheet along its length into multiple paper strips. A sheet of paper in a paper roll may be cut into such multiple strips, by passing the sheet over a slitter roll that extends transversely of the sheet, where cutting elements spaced at intervals along the length of the roll and on the other side of the paper from the roll press against the paper and slitter roll behind it thus to divide the paper. The paper strips are then collected by winding them up on a rewinding roll.

Disc-type slitting or cutting elements are usually employed, with cutting edges about their perimeters having various profiles when viewed in section. The cutting or slitting elements travel over the paper, with such cutting edges traveling in grooves provided in the slitter roll backing the paper. These grooves may have profiles matching the profiles of the edges of the cutting elements traveling therein.

Because of the wear involved, the surface of a slitter roll usually is made of a special alloy of extreme hardness. Even with special types of alloys, machining of the surface of a slitter roll is necessary on occasion, to reshape the grooves therein. Sometimes it is desirable to replace the surface of a slitter roll entirely. A slitter roll provided with means whereby the grooves in the roll may be shifted axially is desirable, as there is a practical limit in the closeness that may be made in the spacing of successive grooves in a slitter roll surface, and to accommodate the cutting of an infinite number of widths in the paper strips, such axial shifting is necessary to properly position the grooves. All of the considerations generally enumerated above indicated the desirability of employing removable bushings for the surface of a slitter roll, as they can be shifted axially to allow for the cutting of all widths of strips, can be made of special materials, and can be removed entirely for replacement or machining purposes.

Thus, a general object of the invention is to provide an improved slitter roll, having cylindrical bushings forming the cutting surface of the roll, and featuring an improved construction for the roll mounting the bushings with such roll being expandable after the placement of the bushings thereon to hold the bushings securely and in a centered position.

As already indicated, the bushings preferably should be adjustable axially on the roll mounting them, and any extensible means in the roll employed to anchor the bushings in place preferably should accommodate such adjust ment. Thus, another object of the invention is to provide a slitter roll, including removable bushings, where the roll mounting the bushings has elongated clamping bars circumferentially spaced about its axis and extending axially thereof, and means for shifting the bars radial- 1y outwardly and against the inside of the bushings. The bars properly mount the bushings in any of multiple positions, and hold them securely in place.

A slitter roll in use usually rotates at a fairly high speed, and ordinarily may have an outside diameter exceeding, for instance, the diameter of the usual rewind shaft. Thus, it is important that a slitter roll be constructed so that the parts therein are in dynamic balance, and gyrational tendencies are minimized. For economy, it is also desirable that the mass of a slitter roll be kept to a minimum. Another object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a construction for a slitter roll that is relatively light, and easily made with the parts thereof balanced in the roll.

As indicated above, a roll constructed according to this invention may be used as a mandrel for mounting hollow rolls of material, such as paper rolls in the paper industry. Characterizing the roll of the invention are a number of features making it easy to use and practical.

Thus, a further object of the invention is to provide a novel expandable roll, such as a mandrel or the like, that includes a series of elongated, axially extending inflatable members within the roll and distributed circumferentially about the axis thereof. Such members are operable upon their inflation to produce radially outward movement or extension of contacting means distributed circumferentially about the periphery of the roll, for the purpose of gripping a hollow member or members mounted on the roll. Eliminated in the construction is a large volume container within the roll, and the difliculties of balancing and strengthening the roll that would accompany the presence of such a large volume container. Additional features of the construction are that radially outward movement of the contacting means may be produced rapidly, using relatively small amounts of pressure fluid, and that the construction is relatively light in relation to its strength.

A still further object is to provide an expandable roll, having plural axially extending inflatable members as described, where they are mounted within elongated containers disposed on the inside of a hollow shaft, with such containers fixed to the shaft. The inflatable members are' operatively connected to contacting members or means on the outside of the shaft, so that upon their inflation the contacting means move radially outwardly.

Another object is to provide such a construction, where each of the inflatable members acts upon a double bar construction to shift it radially outwardly upon inflation of the member, one bar of the double bar construction being on the inside of the hollow shaft and the other being on the outside, and the bars being interconnected by means extending through the wall of the shaft.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the invention, and the invention and various novel features thereof are described hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an end elevation, in somewhat simplified form, of a conventional slitter rewinding unit;

FIG. 2 illustrates a slitter roll in the unit, on an enlarged scale, and with portions of the slitter roll broken FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating another modification of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4; and l s FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating still another modification of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1, 10 indicates generally a slitter rewinding unit, having a frame 12, and journalled on the frame a series of rolls or roll mechanisms, indicated at 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24. At 26 is indicated a disc-type slitting or cutting mechanism. Conventionally, mechanism 26 comprises a series of disc-type cutters or cutting elements, spaced one from another. along the mounting for the cutters. During use of the unit, a web of material 28, such as paper, travels in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1, first about rolls l4 and 16, then about roll 18, and thence rolls 20 and 22, whence it is collected as a roll of paper 27. Rolls 20, 22 support the roll of paper as it forms, and roll 24 is a rider roll functioning to keep the roll of paper properly positioned on rolls 20, 22. The paper traveling into the unit is a continuous and relatively wide piece, and on traveling over roll 18 (which is the slitter roll in the unit), the cutters of disc-type cutting mechanism 26 divide the paper into a series of strips, with these strips being collected in roll 27.

Having described rather generally a typical type of slitter rewinding unit, slitter roll 18, which is the subject of the invention, will now be more particularly described. Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 3, which illustrate one embodiment of roll 18, on a slightly enlarged scale.

Referring to these figures, it will be seen that the slitter roll comprises a series of hollow cylindrical bushings, indicated at 30,31, 32' and 33. The bushings are similar to each other, and are on an expandable roll 36, with the bushings encircling roll 36 and disposed as a series extending axially therealong. Each bushing has plural annular grooves formed in the periphery thereof, such grooves being indicated for bushing 30 at 38. The grooves are spaced from each other, axially of the bushing, and each has a profile generally corresponding to the profile of the edges of the cutting discs that are used with the slitter roll.

As already indicated, it has been found desirable to have the bushings removable, and adjustable in position on roll 36. Roll 36, therefore, is constructed to accommodate axial shifting of the bushings, and their complete removal when necessary, and is also provided with means whereby with the bushings properly positioned, they may be firmly clamped in place with the bushings centered on the roll.

Describing roll 36 more particularly, a hollow shaft forming the body of the roll is indicated at 40. Secured to the ends of the shaft, as by screws 42, are. members 44. These members include stub journal portions 46, used in journaling the roll on frame 12- of unit 10. The outer diameter of shaft 40 is somewhat less than the inner diameter of bushings 30, 31, 32 and 33., This enables the bushings easily to be slipped onto the shaft and properly positioned thereon. For clamping onto the insides of the bushings, and firmly holding them in a centered position, a series of extension mechanisms 50, equally circumferentially spaced about. the axis of shaft 40, are provided.

Considering now an extension mechanism 50 (only one is described in detail), each comprises an elongated tubular container 60. Secured as by welds 62-to opposite sides of the container are bar segments 63. These abut the inner wall of shaft 40, and are fixed in place on the shaft by screws 66 that extend through thewall of the shaft and into the bar segments. Containers 60 extend longitudinally of shaft 40 and approximately the entire length of the shaft.

A fluid-pressure operated expandable means 52 is mounted within container 60, and in theembodiment of the invention shown, means 52 takes the form of an elongated, expandable hose or tube of rubber or flexible material, indicated at 70; Hose 70 is closed off at one end by a fitting 72, and at its other end by a fitting 74. The latter fitting is provided with a passage 76, accommodating the introduction of air into and the exhaust of air from the interior of hose 70. Centering the fitting within container 60 are collars 79.

Mounted within a groove 80 extending axially along the outside of shaft 40 is an elongated bar 82. The bar 4 is shiftable in a radial direction within groove from a retracted position where its outer surface is substantially flush with the outer surface of the shaft, to an extended position where it is operable to grip the inner surfaces of the bushings and hold them in place. The bar is continuous, to accommodate positioning of the bushings at various positions along the shaft, with the bar operable in all positions firmly to hold the bushings. Bar 82 constitutes a contacting means in the construction.

An elongated bar 84 is mounted on the inside of container 60 that parallels and is radially inwardly of bar 82. Interposed between bars 82, 84 are a seriesrof rigid connectors 86 with ends secured to the bars. Each connector comprises a sleeve 87 between the bars and a rivet 88 extending through the sleeve and connected at its end to the bars 82, 84. The connectors pass through bores 90 provided in shaft 40 and bores 92 provided in container 60. On radially outward movement of bar 84, the sleeves function as compression members and produce the same outward movement in outer bar 82. On radially inward movement of the inner bar, because of the rivet connections, the outer bar also moves inwardly.

When tube or hose 70 is deflated, it is desirable that the outer bar of the extension mechanism be positively drawn inwardly, to provide proper clearance for the removal or shifting in position of the sleeves encircling the shaft. Thus, leaf springs, such as leaf spring 96, are provided at intervals along the length of bar 84, with ends 96a, 96b engaging the inside of container 70, and an intermediate portion bearing upon bar 84. A small, dished groove 98 may be provided for seating this intermediate portion of a leaf spring.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be sen that four extension mechanisms are provided, spaced approximately 90 from each other about the circumference of shaft 40. For speedy inflation and defiation of the various tubes, means is provided interconnecting the tubes of the mechanisms including a common supply conduit 100. Specifically, radiating out from conduit 100 are four air lines 102. These air lines have one set of ends communicating with passages 103 in adapters 104, with passages 103 in turn connecting with passages 76v of the various fittings 74; The other set of ends of the air lines are joined to a common connector 106, with such connector having passages 107 connecting the passages of the airlines with the interior of supply conduit 100. Supply conduit 100 may be provided with a conventional valve 108, resembling the usual tire valve, whereby after the various hoses or tubes are inflated air is retained therein.

Explaining now how'bushings 30, 31, 32, and 33 might be placed on a roll, and then anchored in position, air is first exhausted from the various tubes or hoses, by properly adjusting, valve 108. This permits the bias of the leaf springs to urge bars 84 of the extension mechanisms radially inwardly, with such movement being accompanied by radial inward movement of bars 82. The extension mechanisms on reaching their contracted positions have outer surfaces, that are flush with the outside of shaft 40, enabling the bushings to he slid easily on the shaft. Subsequently, when air is introduced through the supply conduit to the various tubes or hoses, they expand simultaneously producing outward movement of bars 82' and positive gripping of the inner surfaces of the bushings. The extension mechanisms, since they are equally circumferentially spaced about the axis of shaft 40, are effective to grab the inside of the bushings with approximately equal pressures at equally circumferentially spaced locations, causing the bushings to be centered on the shaft.

The construction described has numerous advantages. With large diameter rolls (common in slitter rolls), the quantityof air required to expand the various hoses is relatively small. Avoided in the construction is the presence of any large volume container within the shaft, such being hard to balance and diflicult to construct with proper strength. A further feature of the construction is that the extension mechanisms when actuated move rapidly, with quick gripping of the bushings.

Expandable roll 36 providing a mounting for the bushings is relatively light in relation to its strength. Of particular importance, roll 36 is relatively easily constructed with the parts therein in dynamic balance. The containers and hoses mounted therein may be made all alike and suitably corrected for weight prior to installation, so that when the various extension mechanism are finally installed in a balanced roll results.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, here a modified form of slitter roll is illustrated. Like the slitter roll just described, the one in FIGS. 4 and 5 comprises an expandable roll mechanism 120, with a shaft 40 forming the body of the roll mechanism, and having suitably secured to its ends members 44 including stub journal portions 46 used in journaling the roll on frame 12 of unit 10. Encircling shaft 40 are hollow cylindrical bushings 30, 31, 32, and 33.

A series of extension mechanisms 50 are provided, equally circumferentially spaced about the axis of shaft 40, for clamping onto the insides of bushings 30-33. Each comprises an elongated tubular container 60 having an elongated expandable tube or hose 70 mounted therein. A bar 82 extends along the outside of shaft 40 radially outwardly of each container 60, and paralleling bar 82 within each container 60 is a bar 84. The two bars are interconnected by conectors 86, so that on radially outward or inward movement of bar 84, such as accompanies inflation and deflation of tube 70, a similar movement occurs in bar 82.

In this embodiment of the invention, instead of utilizing bar segments 63 for connecting a container in a proper position within shaft 40, a series of screws, such as screws 124, are provided along the length of each container 60. The screws extend through bores 126 provided in the wall of shaft 40, and have their inner ends screwed into internally threaded bores 128 provided along the length of a container 60. The screws are interspersed along the length of a container 60 with connectors 86 that interconnect bars 82, 84. In this embodiment of the invention, the mounting of the containers within shaft 40 is somewhat simplified from the mounting disclosed in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, and for many applications the construction shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a preferred one.

Expandable roll mechanism constructed according to this invention has peculiar advantages in connection with the construction of slitter rolls, as already indicated, because of lightness of mass, strength, good balance, the lack of any large volume container within the roll mechanism, etc. It is because of these and like advantages that the roll mechanism, in a modified form of the invention, may be utilized successfully as a type of mandrel for mounting hollow rolls, such as rolls of paper and the like. Reference is now made to FIG. 6, where such a modification of the invention is illustrated.

Referring to this figure, here a roll mechanism 130 is illustrated which in many details resembles roll mechanism 120 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus, the roll mechanism may comprise a shaft 40, and members such as members 44 (not shown in FIG. 6) used in journaling the roll on its mounting. Within the roll mechanism are containers 60, that extend along the length of the roll mechanism and form part of extension mechanisms 50 therein. The containers may be secured to the inside of shaft 40 in the same manner that containers 60 are secured in place in roll mechanism 120.

Considering the differences in the construction of FIG. 6 from the construction of FIGS. 4 and 5, for one thing, instead of four extension mechanisms 50 provided at 90 spacings about the circumference of the roll, five are provided in the modification shown in FIG. 6. Further, replacing bars 82 that extend along the length of each container 60 are elongated curved plates 132 that extend longitudinally of the roll mechanism. The various curved plates 132 distributed about the circumference of the roll mechanism in their contracted position are directly adjacent the outer surface of shaft 40, and thus there may be eliminated in the construction any grooves such as grooves for receiving the bars 82 present in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5.

The modification of the invention shown in FIG. 6 may be used, for instance, in handling paper rolls during rewinding or winding operations. By providing curved plates 132, a greater extent of contact with the inside of a roll is possible, and on extension of extension mechanisms 50 a substantially cylindrical surface is presented for gripping the inside of a roll. With the roll mechanism constructed for use as a mandrel, preferably five or more extension mechanisms are present, as illustrated, as this permits a reduction in the widths of the curved plates about the roll, and contributes to better functioning of the device.

Several modifications of the invention contemplated have been described herein. By the inclusion of such modifications, an indication may be had as to the types of variations possible in the structure selected. It is not intended, however, by the inclusion of such modifications to limit the invention to the specific constructions shown as obviously other changes could be made in parts and/ or their organization, without departing from the invention.

We claim:

1. In an expandable roll mechanism; an elongated hol low shaft comprising a cylindrical wall having an inner circumferential surface defining a hollow interior for the shaft; plural elongated axially extending rigid tubes, each separable from the other, disposed within the shaft and equally circumferentially spaced about the axis of the shaft, with each tube having a side portion lying substantially tangentially with respect to said inner circumferential surface of said shaft; fasteners actuated externally of the shaft extending through the wall of the shaft and into the side portion of each of said tubes securing together the tube and the side of the shaft adjacent the tube; an elongated fluid expanded hose mounted within each tube; axially extending, elongated contacting means on the outside of the shaft radially outwardly of each tube; and compression-transmitting means extending through said side portion of each tube and the wall of the shaft connected to the contacting means radially outwardly of the tube, urged by the hose within the tube radially outwardly on expansion of the hose, thus to produce corresponding movement in said contacting means.

2. The expandable roll mechanism of claim 1, wherein the compression-transmitting means connected to a contacting means comprises a series of rigid elements distributed along the length of the contacting means, and wherein a plurality of said fasteners are distributed along the length of said contacting means and interspersed with said elements.

3. In an expandable roll mechanism; an elongated hollow shaft comprising a cylindrical wall having an inner circumferential surface defining a hollow interior for the shaft; plural elongated hose-holding structures, each separable from the other, disposed within said hollow shaft and equally circumferentially spaced about the axis of the shaft; each of said hose-holding structures including a tube having a side portion lying substantially tangentially with respect to said inner circumferential surface of said shaft and adjacent a side of the shaft; plural fasteners actuated externally of the shaft extending through the wall of the shaft and into each of said hose-holding structures securing together the hoseholding structure and shaft; said fasteners being distributed along the length of the hose-holding structure; an elongated, fluid expanded hose snugly mounted within each tube of a hose-holding structure; axially extending elongated contacting means on the outside of the shaft radially outwardly of each tube; and compression-trans- 2 u mitting means interspersed with said fasteners extending nally within each tube-fastened to the compression-transthrough said side portion of each tube and the wall of mitting means for the tube. the shaft connected to the contacting means radially out- I wardly of the tube; said last-mentioned compression- References Cltedm the file of thls Patent transmitting means being urged by' the hose Within a. tube 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS radially outwardly on expansion of the hose thus to pro- 2 553 53 Miner June 26, 1951 duce a corresponding movement in the contacting means; 2,643,719 Schneider Ju 30, 195 4. The expandable roll mechanism of claim 3, which 2,801,694 S h id et 1 A 6, 1957 further comprises an elongated bar extending longitudi- 3,006,152 Rusche Oct. 31, 1961 

1. IN AN EXPANDABLE ROLL MECHANISM; AN ELONGATED HOLLOW SHAFT COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL WALL HAVING AN INNER CIRCUMFERENTIAL SURFACE DEFINING A HOLLOW INTERIOR FOR THE SHAFT; PLURAL ELONGATED AXIALLY EXTENDING RIGID TUBES, EACH SEPARABLE FROM THE OTHER, DISPOSED WITHIN THE SHAFT AND EQUALLY CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ABOUT THE AXIS OF THE SHAFT, WITH EACH TUBE HAVING A SIDE PORTION LYING SUBSTANTIALLY TANGENTIALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID INNER CIRCUMFERENTIAL SURFACE OF SAID SHAFT; FASTENERS ACTUATED EXTERNALLY OF THE SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH THE WALL OF THE SHAFT AND INTO THE SIDE PORTION OF EACH OF SAID TUBES SECURING TOGETHER THE TUBE AND THE SIDE OF THE SHAFT ADJACENT THE TUBE; AND ELONGATED FLUID EXPANDED HOSE MOUNTED WITHIN EACH TUBE; AXIALLY EXTENDING, ELONGATED CONTACTING MEANS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SHAFT RADIALLY OUTWARDLY OF EACH TUBE; AND COMPRESSION-TRANSMITTING MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SIDE PORTION OF EACH TUBE AND THE WALL OF THE SHAFT CONNECTED TO THE CONTACTING MEANS RADIALLY OUTWARDLY OF THE TUBE, URGED BY THE HOSE WITHIN THE TUBE RADIALLY OUTWARDLY ON EXPANSION OF THE HOSE, THUS TO PRODUCE CORRESPONDING MOVEMENT IN SAID CONTACTING MEANS. 